Monthly Archives: January 2012

Jan 24

Scarborough man proves that cloakroom monitoring pays off

Installing a security camera could save your business’ reputation

We’re all familiar with the notices that regularly hang next to the cloakrooms in pubs, clubs and restaurants which clearly warn patrons that the “management accepts no responsibility for belongings left on these premises.” In fact, you can purchase such a sign very easily from here. While technically within their legal rights to accept no actual risk, what effect on the business is there if an important garment or bag goes missing? It might severely impact trade through the loss of an extremely important client who has been the victim of such a theft. Perhaps, establishment owners should take a leaf out of the book of the operators of the Quids Inn on St Nicholas Street, Scarborough [UK]. (more…)

Jan 13

Metal thieves cut Surrey residents’ phones off for 3 days

The depths to which metal thieves have sunk was illustrated by an attack on BT’s copper cables in a quiet neighbourhood in Horton, nr Epsom Surrey back in December [2011]. The attack occurred sometime between 11.45 pm on Saturday and 10.15 am on Sunday. The actual cables weren’t removed but damaged as thieves were disturbed resulting in around 350 homes left without telephones or internet connections.

Attacks on BT networks have risen by 12 per cent since 2010. Between May 2009 and May 2010, some 800 cables have been stolen in Surrey along and Surrey police are now patrolling likely target areas in a bid to catch the criminal gangs. The cost of copper wire thefts to the British economy is estimated to be something like £770 million per annum.

Luke Beeson, BT Security, general manager, told the Epsom Guardian here http://tinyurl.com/7syuzzu that, “Stealing telecommunications cable requires some degree of organisation, planning, equipment and resources. Offenders cover the whole spectrum of criminality from opportunist thieves stealing small amounts through to organised criminal gangs with access to more resources and equipment causing major widespread disruption to our customers.”

It took time to reconnect the Horton residents since, as a BT Spokesman told the Epsom Guardian, “We needed to renew around 100m of cable in order to repair the damage. We have completed out works and we are just testing all lines, but believe everyone should be back in service.” Luckily most residents were back up and running with their internet and telephones by the Wednesday (three days later).

Epsom and Ewell neighbourhood police inspector Craig Knight, commented, “Although the cable was damaged in this incident and not taken, we believe it was the intention of the suspects to go back and collect the cable and try and sell it on.”

He added, “Regular patrols take place around areas where cable could potentially be targeted and we are also working closely with a number of companies who have cable in our area to see how we can reduce the risk of them being targeted in the future.”

Significantly, BT now operates a partnership with Crimestoppers to help prevent cable thefts and is offering £1,000 for anyone providing information leading to arrests and subsequent convictions.

Which in this instance could easily have been a Horton resident who was operating an IP-based surveillance systems like Jabbakam. His or her camera might have caught the registration number plate of the van or vans used in the attempted theft. If this had led to a conviction, then the reward could have been claimed. So participating in a community monitored TV scheme could pay dividends as well as help to protect your property.

Incidentally, the company which maintains BT’s telephone lines is now BT Open Reach. Residents looking for compensation have to go back to their telephony supplier which may or not be BT. Since most broadband connexions are classified as domestic not business, then compensation for loss of connectivity wouldn’t kick in for much longer than just three days.

The depths to which metal thieves have sunk was illustrated by an attack on BT’s copper cables in a quiet neighbourhood in Horton, nr Epsom Surrey back in December [2011]. The attack occurred sometime between 11.45 pm on Saturday and 10.15 am on Sunday. The actual cables weren’t removed but damaged as thieves were disturbed which resulted in around 350 homes left without telephones or internet connections.

Attacks on BT networks have risen by 12 per cent since 2010. Between May 2009 and May 2010, some 800 cables have been stolen in Surrey along and Surrey police are now patrolling likely target areas in a bid to catch the criminal gangs. The cost of copper wire thefts to the British economy is estimated to be something like £770 million per annum.

Luke Beeson, BT Security, general manager, told the Epsom Guardian here http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/topstories/9406294.UPDATE__Residents_back_online_after_attempted_theft_of_cables/ that, “Stealing telecommunications cable requires some degree of organisation, planning, equipment and resources. Offenders cover the whole spectrum of criminality from opportunist thieves stealing small amounts through to organised criminal gangs with access to more resources and equipment causing major widespread disruption to our customers.”

It took time to reconnect the Horton residents since, as a BT Spokesman told the Epsom Guardian, “We needed to renew around 100m of cable in order to repair the damage. We have completed out works and we are just testing all lines, but believe everyone should be back in service.” Luckily most residents were back up and running with their internet and telephones by the Wednesday (three days later).

Epsom and Ewell neighbourhood police inspector Craig Knight, commented, “Although the cable was damaged in this incident and not taken, we believe it was the intention of the suspects to go back and collect the cable and try and sell it on.”

He added, “Regular patrols take place around areas where cable could potentially be targeted and we are also working closely with a number of companies who have cable in our area to see how we can reduce the risk of them being targeted in the future.”

Significantly, BT now operates a partnership with Crimestoppers to help prevent cable thefts and is offering £1,000 for anyone providing information leading to arrests and subsequent convictions.

Which in this instance could easily have been a Horton resident who was operating an IP-based surveillance systems like Jabbakam. His or her camera might have caught the registration number plate of the van or vans used in the attempted theft. If this had led to a conviction, then the reward could have been claimed. So participating in a community monitored TV scheme could pay dividends as well as help to protect your property.

Incidentally, the company which maintains BT’s telephone lines is now BT Open Reach. Residents looking for compensation have to go back to their telephony supplier which may or not be BT. Since most broadband connexions are classified as domestic not business, then compensation for loss of connectivity wouldn’t kick in for much longer than just three days.

Jan 10

Security fences are the lure not the cure

Daily Telegraph correspondent has his fencing stolen by metal thieves

As the sorry tale of Mike Rutherford, The Daily Telegraph’s motoring correspondent, so graphically illustrates, security fencing has mutated away from being a strong deterrent into a lure for metal thieves. Whilst distracted by a family crisis, villains turned up at the Rutherford home in the Kent countryside and removed the securing gate and fencing designed to protect the house. Although the culprit was apprehended and convicted, sadly this tale doesn’t have a happy ending because Rutherford is still out of pocket to the tune of several thousands of pounds. He was lucky because an understanding neighbour was aware of the family situation and had promised to keep an eye on the house. He kept notes but if Rutherford had been part of a community monitored TV scheme, the crime might have been prevented.

Had the police been contacted as the crime was being committed, the thief could have been caught red handed. More importantly, the stolen metal might have been retrieved before it was hauled off to its final destination –an ‘accommodating’ scrap metal or recycling yard.

The neighbour spotted the theft as it was being committed and approached the culprit. However, this person insisted that he’d been ‘authorised’ to remove the metal materials from Rutherford’s land. Luckily, the neighbour kept detailed notes of the incident. This included an accurate description of the driver plus the make of vehicle, its identifying marks and most important of all – the registration plate. The downside was that the neighbour failed to contact Rutherford and so decided not to contact the police because he couldn’t be sure whether the man was a thief or genuine contractor working for Rutherford.

When the Kent Police were finally called in by Rutherford, they were impressed by Rutherford’s security camera images but even more impressed by his neighbour’s detailed notes. This eventually led to the arrest of a middle-aged local who was charged with stealing the fencing. At Maidstone Crown Court, he received a heavy fine and an 18-month suspended sentence. He was ordered to pay a four-figure sum for replacement fencing and gates, but Rutherford has yet to see a penny of it.

Rutherford concludes here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8989021/My-security-gates-didnt-deter-metal-thieves.html that, “High security fences and other products designed to ‘protect’ aren’t secure and offer zero protection when they’re so damned easy to steal.” What is such a shame is that Rutherford and his neighbour weren’t part of a shared CCTV scheme. That way somebody might have called the police before the metals were removed. Plus, if Mr Rutherford had been able to view his CCTV images on his smartphone, he might have been able to alert the police immediately. Of course, a system like Jabbakam provides a remote surveillance facility for smartphones and actively promotes community monitored TV schemes to its customers.